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gja1000 · 06-05-2011, 05:54 AM

Janet, your trials and tribulations as a caregiver, are consuming your life right now. There is just no other way right now. Caregiving is very very hard, it is actually one of the hardest jobs there is and you get NO PAY! Of course, we take care of our parents because they took care of us - but it is a very difficult and stressful job. Do you know if we paid all the family caregivers in the U.S. for their care, it would cost billions of dollars every year! If we didn't have family caregivers, our health care system would be overwhelmed and it would go bankrupt. Think about how many times your mom was in the hospital before she came to live with you. Think about how she'd be in a nursing home if she weren't with you. Think about how many health care dollars you are saving by taking care of her. Can you see how important your job is right now?

BUT, it is very very arduous and stressful. Family caregivers have higher rates of viral infections (e.g., respiratory infections) than any other segment of the population. They have higher rates of depression too. Did you know that it is not uncommon for the caregiver to die before the care receiver (happens mostly in spousal caregiving situations). Did you know that caregivers experience a depressed immune system so it is harder for them to fight off illnesses? Did you know they have higher overall numbers of illnesses.

Caregiving is not for whimps - if it were more men would do it (sorry, just couldn't resist). LOL!

Janet, you NEED to talk to us about your problems and how you feel. You need to get these feelings out. If you keep it bottled up inside of you, it will damage your physical being, it really will. Pent up stress is a killer, I promise you. We don't mind one bit hearing about your problems - you are NOT feeling sorry for yourself, you are venting to keep your sanity. We are a safe haven here - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stop talking to us and please do not think you can't talk about your problems - YOU MUST TALK ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS OR YOU WILL GET SICK!

We love you Janet. I know exactly what you are going through - some of us will experience it and some won't - it is one of the hardest jobs on the planet and we are here for you.

Take care of yourself or you won't be able to take care of your mom!

06-05-2011, 05:54 AM	#4
gja1000 Donating 4WT Yakker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Central Texas Posts: 5,717	Janet, your trials and tribulations as a caregiver, are consuming your life right now. There is just no other way right now. Caregiving is very very hard, it is actually one of the hardest jobs there is and you get NO PAY! Of course, we take care of our parents because they took care of us - but it is a very difficult and stressful job. Do you know if we paid all the family caregivers in the U.S. for their care, it would cost billions of dollars every year! If we didn't have family caregivers, our health care system would be overwhelmed and it would go bankrupt. Think about how many times your mom was in the hospital before she came to live with you. Think about how she'd be in a nursing home if she weren't with you. Think about how many health care dollars you are saving by taking care of her. Can you see how important your job is right now? BUT, it is very very arduous and stressful. Family caregivers have higher rates of viral infections (e.g., respiratory infections) than any other segment of the population. They have higher rates of depression too. Did you know that it is not uncommon for the caregiver to die before the care receiver (happens mostly in spousal caregiving situations). Did you know that caregivers experience a depressed immune system so it is harder for them to fight off illnesses? Did you know they have higher overall numbers of illnesses. Caregiving is not for whimps - if it were more men would do it (sorry, just couldn't resist). LOL! Janet, you NEED to talk to us about your problems and how you feel. You need to get these feelings out. If you keep it bottled up inside of you, it will damage your physical being, it really will. Pent up stress is a killer, I promise you. We don't mind one bit hearing about your problems - you are NOT feeling sorry for yourself, you are venting to keep your sanity. We are a safe haven here - PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stop talking to us and please do not think you can't talk about your problems - YOU MUST TALK ABOUT YOUR PROBLEMS OR YOU WILL GET SICK! We love you Janet. I know exactly what you are going through - some of us will experience it and some won't - it is one of the hardest jobs on the planet and we are here for you. Take care of yourself or you won't be able to take care of your mom! __________________ Gayle